New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully conducted the flight test of its indigenously developed Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), marking a significant milestone in India’s defence capabilities.
The missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha. According to the Ministry of Defence, the missile successfully struck its target at a range of 1,000 kilometres, with all mission objectives being achieved.
The ministry said the LRLACM has been developed entirely within the country, with various DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners contributing to its subsystems. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru served as the nodal laboratory for the project.
The successful test is particularly significant as the missile programme evolved from the earlier Nirbhay cruise missile project, which faced multiple setbacks during its developmental phase, including unsuccessful trials between 2013 and 2020. Officials said the LRLACM incorporates several technological improvements, offering greater range, enhanced precision and the flexibility to be launched from multiple platforms.
The missile is expected to undergo two more developmental trials and two user trials over the next two years before being inducted into the Indian Armed Forces.
The LRLACM is viewed as a major force multiplier for India amid evolving security challenges in the region. Designed for precision strikes deep inside enemy territory, the missile flies at low altitudes, making it difficult to detect by radar systems. Equipped with a 500-kg warhead, it can manoeuvre at varying altitudes and speeds and is widely regarded as India’s equivalent of the US Tomahawk cruise missile.
Senior DRDO officials, along with representatives from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, attended the launch, while Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the test.
